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Sunday, March 18, 2018

"The Innkeeper's Daughter" by Michelle Griep

Just over a year ago, I read Michelle Griep's The Captive Heart. While it wasn't a novel I'd normally go for, I saw so many glowing reviews from bloggers I trust that I decided to give it a chance. I loved it, and Griep instantly became one of my must-read authors. That made the decision really easy when I had the opportunity to request a review copy of her new novel The Innkeeper's Daughter.A London officer goes undercover to expose a plot against the CrownDover, England, 1808: Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambling gentleman to expose a high-stakes plot against the king—and he’s a master of disguise, for Johanna Langley believes him to be quite the rogue. . .until she can no longer fight against his unrelenting charm.All Johanna wants is to keep the family inn afloat, but when the rent and the hearth payment are due at the same time, where will she find the extra funds? If she doesn’t come up with the money, there will be nowhere to go other than the workhouse—where she’ll be separated from her ailing mother and ten-year-old brother.Alex desperately wants to help Johanna, especially when she confides in him, but his mission—finding and bringing to justice a traitor to the crown—must come first, or they could all end up dead.

Genre: Historical Christian FictionRelease Date: March 1, 2018The Innkeeper's Daughter is full of intrigue with a touch of romance. Told from three perspectives—innkeeper Johanna's, spy Alex's, and inn guest Mr. Nutbrown's—it moves fairly slowly at the beginning but then picks up speed, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, something would shift! It's definitely more of a mystery than I was expecting, but I really enjoyed trying to determine the identity of the traitor Alex was looking for.

I must admit that, while I enjoyed the romance between Johanna and Alex, I cared far more about Alex's story than anything else. I think that's because Johanna's insistence on self-reliance grated on me (I get it at the beginning, but she kept things close to the vest for far too long, in my opinion), as well as because Alex's story—involving gamblers, smuggling, a fake relationship, and so many people whose motives were difficult to discern—was just so fascinating!

The characters are a particular strength in this novel. Besides Alex and Johanna, I enjoyed learning about Johanna's 10 going on 25-year-old brother, her mother, the quirky (and surely mentally ill) Mr. Nutbrown, the viscount and his daughter, and more. Also, fans of Griep's Brentwood's Ward will be happy to learn that Nicholas Brentwood makes an appearance here.

While the book did seem just a touch longer than it needed to be and not every thread was tied up at the end, I really enjoyed the novel ... and I guess I'll just have to make up my own ending for Johanna's mother! (I said almost exactly the same thing about The Captive Heart, so maybe Griep enjoys leaving some threads open.) I may not have loved this book quite as much as I loved The Captive Heart, but it was still a solid, entertaining read. 4 stars.

Michelle Griep has been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle. Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild). Keep up with her adventures at her blog “Writer off the Leash” or visit www.michellegriep.com.

Guest post from Michelle Griep

Celebrating Oak Apple Day

Spring is just around the corner, or maybe it’s in full bloom in your neck of the woods. Regardless, by this time of year, everyone is ready to celebrate. . .and nothing new is under the sun. For centuries people have been eager to welcome budding greenery and warmth.

In my recent release, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, I incorporated a spring holiday that’s been around for over 500 years in England, one you may never heard of.

Oak Apple Day.

This ancient celebration dates back to the year 1651. At the time, Charles II escaped the Roundhead army by taking cover in an oak tree. Everyone loved ol’ Charlie and was glad he lived, so in his honor, a new national holiday was born—one that in some parts of England is still celebrated today.

Another name for this annual event is Royal Oak Day and the festivities occur every May 29th. Celebration traditions vary from parades to the ringing of bells, but one thing that is standard is that it’s a day to pin an oak leaf on your lapel. If you fail to wear one, you could end up getting pinched.

The hero in my latest release is kind enough to remind the heroine that she forgot to pin on her leaf, thus saving her from untoward pinches. Interested in hearing more about this gallant fellow and the forgetful miss? Here’s a blurb about The Innkeeper’s Daughter…

Tension is high with the threat of a Napoleonic attack in Regency England, but risk from abroad means nothing when there’s danger at home.

Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambling gentleman to expose a high-stakes plot against the crown—and he’s a master of disguise, for Johanna Langley believes him to be quite the rogue . . . until she can no longer fight against his unrelenting charm.

All Johanna wants is to keep the family inn afloat, but when the rent and the hearth payment are due at the same time, where will she find the extra funds? If she doesn’t come up with the money, there will be nowhere to go other than the workhouse—where she’ll be separated from her ailing mother and ten-year-old brother.

Alex desperately wants to help Johanna, especially when she confides in him, but his mission—finding and bringing to justice a traitor to the crown—must come first, or they could all end up dead.

It’s a race against time for them both.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

4 comments:

Thanks for the sweet review! And since you mentioned The Captive Heart and enjoyed the Colonial period, I've got a June release set during the French and Indian War you might like . . . The Captured Bride.

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